Biosphere Vannin photo competition
We are delighted to welcome Alice Dudley as the fourth Biosphere Artist in Residence, following on from the brilliant work of Amy Howse.
The Biosphere Artist in Residence Programme celebrates creativity as a powerful way to connect people with nature, culture and community. Each year, it invites an artist or collective to explore the Isle of Man’s unique environment and heritage, creating work that inspires others to appreciate and protect all that makes the island special. Hosted by Manx Wildlife Trust and funded by Isle of Man Arts Council, the residency is run in partnership with Biosphere Isle of Man and this year with support from Culture Vannin.
The 2025-26 residency is particularly special, as 2026 celebrates the Year of the Manx Language, and marks ten years since the Isle of Man became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – the first whole nation in the world to achieve this status. The residency will explore how the island’s culture and nature are deeply connected, and how the Manx language continues to shape the way people experience and understand place.
Alice impressed the panel with her ambitious, multidisciplinary proposal combining fine art, music and community engagement. Her residency will focus on collaboration and connection – a key aspect of our Biosphere status - bringing together artists, writers, musicians and communities to explore the Manx landscape, language and stories through workshops, performances and exhibitions.
Deeply inspired by the island’s landscape and folklore, Alice has already gained recognition beyond the Isle of Man. She is a British Art Medal Society (BAMS) Award winner, has exhibited at the Royal Cornwall Museum, and was named a Tate St Ives Emerging Artist in 2021.
Her plans include:
A collaborative anthology, pairing artists from different disciplines to respond to one another’s work.
A Manx-language-inspired EP of original songs and visual artworks celebrating local stories and the island’s natural beauty.
A series of events bringing artists and scientists together, encouraging creative exchanges between art and science.
For updates on Alice’s residency and forthcoming events, follow Manx Wildlife Trust and Biosphere Isle of Man on social media, or visit Manx Wildlife Trust’s website.
